Chapter Fourteen: We Truly Have No Connection

Emperor Yongqing casually mentioned, “Consort, my Little Fifth said the other day that he wants to marry Gu Yan. What do you think—should I make it happen for them?”

As he spoke, Emperor Yongqing sneaked a glance at Shen Qiuning, seeking her reaction. But Shen Qiuning seemed not to hear him and quietly brewed tea beside them.

Consort Xuan covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. “Let the children handle their own affairs. You shouldn’t interfere.”

“All right, all right, I’ll listen to you,” Emperor Yongqing said, smiling indulgently at Consort Xuan.

“Your Majesty, General Gu requests an audience in the study,” Eunuch Li hurried in to inform.

Emperor Yongqing rose and took Consort Xuan’s hand. “I’ll go first. I’ll see you again tonight.”

“All pay their respects as the emperor departs.”

After the emperor left, Shen Qiuning took out a wooden hairpin. “Consort Xuan, someone asked me to give you this. Do you recognize it?”

Consort Xuan took the hairpin. “You met Master!”

She was deeply moved, but also tinged with sadness. “After all these years, I have sent Master letters, but he has never replied. He still hasn’t forgiven me.”

Shen Qiuning produced the remaining hairpins. “But Elder Guan said you never wrote him any letters.”

Consort Xuan was incredulous. She had written to her Master every year but never received a reply, assuming he was angry. Now that he said he never received them, there must be another reason. Perhaps someone intercepted the letters.

She carefully placed each wooden hairpin down. These were all made by Master. When she entered the palace, she had quarreled fiercely with him and taken nothing with her. Seeing these hairpins now stirred a bitterness she could not express. It had been many years since she last saw Master. Where had all those letters gone? She would find out for certain.

In the study, Gu Yan presented a secret letter from the Empress. Emperor Yongqing read it and slammed it onto the desk. “The Empress cannot hold back any longer.”

Putting that aside, the emperor looked at Gu Yan—a young general of the right age. Little Fifth’s eyes were indeed good, but it was a pity.

“Zirui, is there a girl you fancy? If not, my Little Fifth admires you—would you accept him?” The emperor probed.

“Your Majesty, I am already attached,” Gu Yan quickly declined.

“Oh? Which lady is she? I might bless your union.” The emperor feigned ignorance.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. But only mutual affection can last, like you and Consort Xuan. So I wish to wait until she is willing to come closer to me.”

These words touched Emperor Yongqing’s heart, and he laughed heartily. “Good lad, just like me in my youth!”

After leaving the study, Gu Yan was suddenly greeted by the Fifth Princess, who bounced up to him. “Brother Gu! Want to go to the imperial garden to enjoy the flowers?”

Gu Yan stepped back. “Princess, men and women are different.”

The Fifth Princess grabbed his sleeve, pretending to be angry. “I am a princess, and now I want you to protect me and accompany me to the garden!”

Shen Qiuning, passing by after leaving Consort Xuan, stood quietly in a nearby pavilion watching them. Gu Yan glanced up and met her gaze for a moment before turning to leave.

“Princess, the palace is full of guards; there’s no danger. I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave first.” Gu Yan pulled away from the princess’s grip and went toward Shen Qiuning.

He caught up to Shen Qiuning and grabbed her arm, hurriedly explaining, “Shen Qiuning, we have no relationship.”

“We do not, General Gu.” Shen Qiuning looked down at his hand holding her arm.

“I mean with her.” Gu Yan’s grip tightened.

“General Gu, men and women are distinct. I take my leave.” Shen Qiuning pulled away and turned to leave.

Gu Yan did not pursue her. She was right—they truly had no relationship now.

Back at the residence, Shen Qiuning recalled what she had seen in the pavilion. She suppressed the strange feelings rising within but grew increasingly restless. She stood and pulled Mingyue along.

“Mingyue, come walk with me!” They wandered aimlessly and soon found themselves before the gates of the Cause and Effect Temple.

Shen Qiuning entered, deciding to offer incense. She sought not answers or enlightenment, only the safety of her family. The abbot hurried forward upon seeing her. “Lady devotee, the Taoist you seek is not present today. If you have questions, you may burn a talisman and return tomorrow.”

“You misunderstand, Abbot. I only pray for my family’s peace and well-being. I heard that offerings here are effective. Is that true?” Shen Qiuning did not believe in gods, but if it worked, she would come every day.

The abbot smiled politely. “What people seek, only they can know if it is granted. Though it seems they pray to Buddha, in truth, they pray to themselves.”

In the Buddha Hall, a towering golden statue with benevolent eyes looked down on the faithful, as if seeing into the deepest desires of their hearts. Shen Qiuning knelt on the mat, hands clasped. “May the Buddha bless my family with safety.”

She rose, thanked the abbot, and left. Shen Qiuning did not yet know what challenges awaited the Shen family, but she would do everything in her power to protect them and those she loved, no matter the cost.

“Miss, we should return to the residence,” Mingyue reminded her.

On the way back, they passed Su’s Pastry Shop, and Shen Qiuning stopped. “Mingyue, buy some osmanthus cakes for Mother.”

Mingyue took the money and went inside while Shen Qiuning browsed a rouge stall nearby.

Suddenly, she felt a tug at her waist. Looking down, she saw a beggar had snatched her purse. Just as she rose to give chase, a man swiftly appeared, pinning the beggar to the ground and retrieving her purse.

Shen Qiuning approached, took back her purse, and pulled out some small silver coins, handing them to the beggar. “If I catch you stealing again, I won’t forgive you.”

After the beggar left, Shen Qiuning turned to the man. “Thank you, sir, for your help. May I ask which sect you belong to?”

“I am Xu Zirui of the Qingyun Sect. Just call me Zirui. How did you guess I am a man of the martial world?” Xu Zirui, holding his sword, looked at her.

Hearing his name, Shen Qiuning was reminded that Gu Yan’s childhood name was also Zirui. Calling him by that name felt awkward.

“Your attire plainly shows you belong to a sect. It wasn’t hard to tell.”

Xu Zirui laughed heartily. “I told you to call me Zirui. Why do you still say ‘sir’? So formal. And you haven’t told me your name.”

Embarrassed, Shen Qiuning replied, “Just call me Shen Qiuning. Thank you again. I must take my leave.”

Seeing Mingyue return with the cakes, Shen Qiuning turned to leave. But Xu Zirui stepped forward to block her way. “You are Shen Qiuning! Is your father Shen Munian?”

Shen Qiuning’s steps halted. How did he know? And what did he want?